Electrode stem clamp



April 2, 1946. J. QUINN TAL vf 2,397,806 A ELECTRODE STEM CLAMP n i IFiled sept. 18, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 0 IIL/f 111/ ATTORNEY April2,1946.- v 1 QUINN ET AL 2,397,806

- @LECTRODE STEM CLAMP Filed Sept. 18, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 xNvEmjoRsJoh? Gam?? BY RWA/702:52

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ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 2, 1946 UNITED `STAT ES lPA'IEWI fOFIF IC EELECTRODE STEM CLAMP `John .Quinn .andltoy A. Horst, SyracusaN. Y., susvs'ignors to The 'Solvay Process YCompany, `New York, N. Y., .acorporationof .N ew York AApplication September 18,1942,1Seria1ffNn.@5858216 Cl. .2M- 129371) '9 Claims.

This `invention relates to .improvements vin electrolytic cells and `isparticularly concerned vnovel 'supporting'm'eanslforelectrodes, such'as-the carbon anodes employed iin el'ectrolytic cells.

The .carbon anodes of cells :such as mercury cathode electrolytic cellsusually :comprise :horizontally disposed `'carbon blocks.In'fthepastthese blocks have been supported by ledges at fthe ends ofthe anodes or 'have been suspended -.from 'the cell cover by means iof:carbon stems A's'eeizired to the blocks. The :latter 'construction hasthe 'advantage vthat .it provides .fa means .'of 'electrical contact "asWell as Va fsupport. However, previous types of construction fhave beenv"subject to .im-`

portant disadvantages. 5F01' example, one vformer construction yinvolvedia @threaded anode-supporting stem extending Ythrough an aperture finfthe cover `and fixed sto `the lcover bymeans 'of `a hard rubber nut.Electrical contact `was @secured by :means of copper bars clamped 'to`the zstem. Such an assembly is :subject to the disadvantage that it is:exceedingly diilicultv-to draw the .nut tight `enough to provide a:rigid support Ster ath'e anode and to seal :the vaperture againstsleakage.

Moreover, after Ya rfew :days of operation the .nut

becomes cemented to 'the stem by Ythe `oil 'used in impregnating the`stem to make it impervious to gas fand When tit `is desired to ta'keFoti the mit to readjust 'the fstem, for 'example Lto A4compensate for.anodewean it usually is necessary to break the nut 'and `remove it yinpieces; @unless care is taken to avoid damaging the threaded portion ofthe carbon fstem, the stem is apt to become injured to 'a deg-reerequiring its replacement.

Itis an object of the present -invention'to provide velectrodesupporting :means Awhich 'assure adequate support for the electrode,Aprovide `a gastight seal, and are vat the same time both durable andeasily demounta'ble.

Further objects -will appear from the following description yof Atheinvention.`

The ksupporting Vstructure of the present invention 'comprises asupporting frame for the 'elec'- trode, Which'frame may be lthe coverofthe electrolytic cell. ThisrameLi's provided with yanaperture throughwhich the electrode stem passes. The electrode stem is provided W'ith .ashoulder, which bears against the inner .surface of the frame Whileoutside the frame the electrode stem embracing elements vare disposed.in .such la .manner as to securely grasp the electrode 4stem near theouter surface of `the frame -stem ernbracing elements are provided withwedge-beaning surfaces which mate with wedgemean's -bea-ring againstouter face of fthe vframe.

"It should be "appreciated that `Where lreference is 1matie 'herein toparts fbearing against fthe fr-ame, "it :is not necessary that suchparts bear 'directly'agaiinst the 1fratrie. Thus the stem `shouldernormally :is `separated 4from *the frame by a sealing gasket, Vrand thewedge means Pmay be separated from 'the ffram'e 'fby a bearing plate -orEamfiulus vto distribute the pressure `exerted by the wedge '-means.

'In forder "to 'provide a more V'complete understanding o fourinvention, there follow descripti'ons of several .practical 'speci'cembodiments fthere'of. These descriptions lshould be considered :inconnection with the :accompanying drawings wherein i1 4is :fa aplan'view of a Apreferred lola-mp assembly fof fthe 7invention;

Fig. '2 lis :a side elevation thereof :showing the Vclamp in positionl:upon an .electrode stem;

lFi'g.I31isffa frontaelevation of the same fassembly;

Eig. 5 'shows ,lapl'anview of :an alternative :clamp fassemblywithin thepurviewfof ith'e invention;

Fig. '7 a '.p'lan view showing :a third y'embodim'en't offth'einvention.;

.Figris azsicle elevation thereof; land Fig. 9 uis vaiplan viewfo'f alfourth embodiment .of tthe invention.

With particular freterence to Figs. l to 4, the lclamp iillustratedcomprises a pair of electrode stem `:embracing :elements I 'andZ securedto each oth'erby'ibolts which-maybe screwed into tapped :apertures Sinlthe felement -I `as shown. If it 'is :desired fto ruse through `boltsthese 'apertures need not be threaded. VbIn this manner 'the twokelectrode :stem embracing :elements securely grasp fthers'tem '4 fofthe .electrode, as best shown in Fig. I'4. .Each :of lelements I fand i2vis `provided -With alug 5 "whichfhas:awedge-abearingfsurface 6 inclinedfslig'htlyito the plane fof 'the v'el'e'ctrozle `supporting :frame Il.Between ieach 'lug 5 and the rsurfa'ce :pf :the aanode "supporting frame'1 are wedge means B fcomprising a wedge portion and sa, `tightening 'er:holding esci-ew 39 threaded 'into the AkWedge ipertion. Each oflelements l and 12 is also provided with a horizontal ibus fbar restiplate 2l Il ,fhaving `threaded :apertures H., iand -with a lifting .ear112..

A's shown in Figs. A2,.f3,iand4, anode 1.3, shown ragmentarily, is fixedto the v:electrode stem =4 :by :a threaded ioint 2M. The-electrodesupporting stem 4 has an enlarged section I5 which provides a shoulderI6 for bearing against the cover or frame l. Inserted between theshoulder I6 and cover 'I is a sealing Vgasket II.

To mount an anode by means of the illustrated clamp, the anode is firstsecured to the anode supporting stem by the threaded joint. The anodestem carrying gasket I'I isthen protruded through aperture I8 of cover Iand stem embracing elements i and 2 are securely bolted to the portionof the stem 4 protruding on the upper side of the cover. Wedge means 8are then placed in position as illustrated and the bolts 9 are turned toforce lugs upward away from cover 'I and thus to compress gasket I'Ibetweeny shoulder IB and the underside of the cover. By this means anextremely tight and gas-proof union is made between the anode stem andthe cover l; If the plane of shoulder I6 is parallel to the anode I3,the clamp will hold the anode I3 rigidly parallel to the cover 'I. i.

Normally an electrolytic cell may comprise a number of anodes eachsecured to the cell cover in the aforementioned manner. On a large cellthe cover is a heavy element and requires suitable hoisting means forits manipulation. Ears i2 provide one highly satisfactory means for theprotruding portion of the electrode stem, and embracing elements 5I and52 are secured thereto by means of nuts and bolts 51%.V The Awedges andwedge actuating elements 5B and 55 are then placed about the stembetween lugs 55 and ring 5I'and drawn tight by means ofnut and bolt 5Iwhich serve to compress the cover 53 and gasketj 5G between the ring 5landthe shoulder of the electrode supporting stem. The provision of asingle tightening bolt to simultaneously actuate both wedges in themanner shown assures uniform distribution of strain and reduces thechance of breaking the stem by uneven tension at opposite sides.

TheV embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 comprises a pair ofelectrode embracing elements Y 'II and 'l2 secured to the electrode stemby nuts securing grappling hooks to the cell cover for upon the platesI5 and bolted securely thereto by means of bolts Ellwhich pass throughthreaded apertures. i5. Since a very large surface area ofV elements land 2 is .presented to the electrode stem and since a high degree ofcompression is secured by means of bolts 3, the electrical resistance ofthe connection is exceedingly low.

We have found that a suitable material for construction of the clampdescribed above is a zinc alloy containing 4% aluminum, .04% magnesium,and the balance Zinc, die-cast in the required shape and drilled andthreaded to pro-v vide the desired threaded and unthreaded apertures.Cast manganese bronze has also vbeen found to be a good constructionmaterial. Ordinary steel bolts may be used for securing the severalparts in their operative relation.

In me embodiment niustratedin Figs. 5 and 6,

apair of stem embracing elements 5I and 52 embrace the electrodesupporting stem 53 and are rigidly secured thereto by means of nuts andbolts 55. Each of the electrode embracing elements bears a wedge-bearinglug 55 mated with a wedge 55.. f In the embodiment shown, a wedgeopposing annulus 51 has been provided for distributing the stress moreuniformly over electrode supporting cover-58. Each wedge 5S is mountedon a semi-circular actuating member 59. The two members 59 are securedby a pin 5i), which serves as a hinge, and a nut and bolt 5i. Theelectrode stem'embracingelements 5I and 52 are provided with bus `barbearing plates 62 having threaded apertures 53 in thev same manner asthe elements I and 2 -of Fig. 1 and these may be used to secure a busbar 64 by means of,` securing bolts 65. u

The clampis operated in a manner similar to that of the clamp shown inFigs. 1 to4. The anode supporting stem carrying a gasket 56 is extendedthrough an aperture in the supporting cover 58', wedge resisting ring51. is placed upon and bolts 13. Each of the elements 'il and 'I2 isprovided with a pair of lugs 'I4 threaded vertically to receive screws15, which, if desired, may be provided withlock nuts '16, as shown. Thethreads of lugs 'Ill serve as wedge bearing surfaces and the threads ofscrews I5 as wedges. Each of elements 'II and I2 also-'is provided witha lug 1'! having a threaded aperture 'I8 to which bus bar i9 may besecured by means of a bolt 85. A pressure distributing ring BI isprovided to distribute the compression stress uniformly along theelectrode supporting cover 32.

Application of this embodiment of the invention is essentially similarto that of the previous embodiment. The electrode supporting stem towhich the sealing gasketk 83 has been applied is projectedthrough anaperture in the supporting cover 82. Ring 8| is placed thereon and stemembracing elements 'Il and I2 are secured to the protruding portionofthe stem. Screws v'I5 are then turned to secure the desiredcompression of gasket 83 and locked into position by means of lock nut16. Y

It has been found that the embodiment shown Y Y in Figs. 7 andr8 can beused successfully with only one pair of set screws corresponding to 'I5of the drawing placed at opposite ends of a diameter of the anode stemaperture and bearing on plates corresponding to the ring 8|. y

Fig. 9 illustrates a stem clamp` embodying the same principle as theclamp shown in Figs. '7 and 8 but involving theV use of only a singleclamping element. In Fig. 9, 84 represents a singlepiece electrode stemclamping element having an aperture B5 slightly larger than theelectrode stem to be clamped. The aperture 85 is made to clasp theelectrode stem by drawing together ears 85 and 8l of the element bytightening nut and bolt 88. Bus bar rest' plate 89 has holes 95 thereinfor securely fasteningrthe anode bus bar to the element. Lugs 9i aredrilled vertically and threaded so that set screws 92 may be tightenedto produce the desired gas-tight kjoint between the anode and coverplate in the manner described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8.

It will be observed that in the embodiments oi Figsj and 6 and 7 and 8the vtwo stem embracing elements are in each case identical. In Fig. lthe elements are identical except for the fact that one of the elementsis provided withthreaded apertures for bolts 3 and the other is providedwith unthreaded apertures. Since drilling and threading is accomplishedafter the elements have been cast, only a single die is required in eachcase for casting these elements.Y

We claim: l. Anrelectrode support comprising a rigid electrede'rsupporting frame having an electrode stem aperture, an electrodesupporting stem extending through said aperture and having a shoulderbearing against one side of said frame, an electrode stem clamp securelyembracing said stem on the other side of said frame and provided withbearing surfaces, and wedge means mating with said bearing surfaces andbearing against said other side of said frame.

2. An electrode support comprising a rigid electrode supporting framehaving an electrode stem aperture, an electrode supporting stemextending through said aperture and having a shoulder bearing againstone side of said frame, an electrode stem clamp securely embracing saidstem on the other side of said frame and provided with wedge bearingsurfaces facing said frame, a wedge mating with said wedge bearingsurfaces and bearing against said other side of said frame, andtightening means adapted to secure said wedge in wedging relationbetween said frame and said wedge bearing surfaces.

3. An electrode support comprising a rigid electrode supporting framehaving an electrode stem aperture, an electrode supporting stem extending through said aperture and having ashoulder bearing against one sideof said frame, an electrode stem clamp comprising at least two elementssecurely embracing said stem on the other Y side of said frame andprovided with wedge bearing means adapted to secure said wedge in wedging relation between said frame and said wedge bearing surfaces.

4. An electrode support comprising Aa rigid electrode supporting framehaving an electrode stem aperture, an electrode supporting stemextending through said aperture and having a shoulder bearing againstone side of said frame, an electrode stem clamp comprising a pair ofelectrode stern embracing elements fastened to each other so as to graspsecurely between them said stem on the other side of said frame, each ofsaid elements being provided with wedge-bearing surfaces slightlyinclined with respect to said frame, a pair of Wedges mating with saidwedge bearing surfaces, and screw means for actuating said wedges andadapted to hold said wedges in wedging relation between said frame andsaid wedge bearing surfaces.

5. In an electrolytic cell, an improved cover and electrode assemblycomprising a rigid horizontal cover having electrode stem aperturestherein, electrode stems of substantially the same cross section as saidapertures extending through said apertures and having enlarged portionsproviding shoulders bearing against the under face 0f said cover,sealing gaskets separating said shoulders from said cover, electrodestem clamps each fastened so as to grasp securely an electrode stemabove said cover, each of said clamps being provided with bearingsurfaces, and wedge means mating with said bearing surfaces and bearingagainst the upper face of said cover.

6. In an electrolytic cell, an improved cover and electrode assemblycomprising a rigid horizontal cover having circular electrode stemapertures therein, cylindrical electrode stems of about the samediameter as said apertures extending through said apertures and havingenlarged portions providing shoulders bearing against the under face ofsaid cover, sealing gaskets separat--` ing said shoulders from saidcover, electrode stem clamps each comprising a pair of electrode stemembracing elements provided with substantially cylindrical graspingfaces bolted to one another so as to grasp securely between them anelectrode stem above said cover, each of said elements being providedwith bearing surfaces, and wedge means mating with said bearing surfacesand bearing against the upper face of said cover.

7. In an electrolytic cell, an improved cover and electrode assemblycomprising a rigid horizontal cover having circular electrode sternapertures therein, cylindrical electrode stems of about the samediameter as said apertures extending through said apertures and havingenlarged portions providing shoulders bearing against the under face ofsaid cover, sealing gaskets separating said shoulders from said cover,electrode stem clamps each comprising a pair of electrode stem embracingelements provided with substantially cylindrical grasping faces fastenedto each other so as to grasp securely between them an electrode stemabove said cover, each of said elements being provided with bearingsurfaces, a pair of wedges mating with said bearing surfaces, and screwmeans for actuating said wedges and adapted to hold said wedges inwedging relation between said bearing surfaces and the upper face ofsaid cover.

8. In an electrolytic cell, an improved cover and electrode assemblycomprising a rigid horizontal cover having Ielectrode stem aperturestherein, electrode stems of substantially the same cross section as saidapertures extending through said apertures and having enlarged portionsproviding shoulders bearing against the under face of said cover,sealing gaskets separating said shoulders from said cover, electrodestem clamps each comprising a pair of electrode stem embracing elementsprovided with grasping faces to match the electrode stems fastened toeach other so as to grasp securely between them an electrode stem abovesaid cover, each of said elements being provided With bearing surfaces,a pair of wedges mating with said bearing surfaces, and screw means foractuating said wedges and adapted to hold said wedges in wedgingrelation between said bearing surfaces and said pressure distributingring.

9. In an electrolytic cell, an improved cover and electrode assemblycomprising a rigid horizontal cover having circular electrode stemapertures therein, cylindrical electrode stems of about the samediameter as said apertures extending through said apertures and havingenlarged portions providing shoulders bearing against the under faceof'said cover, sealing gaskets separating said shoulders from saidcover, electrode stem clamps each comprising a pair of electrode stemembracing elements composed of electrically conductive material andprovided with substantially cylindrical grasping faces bolted to oneanother so as to grasp securely between them an electrode stem abovesaid cover, each of said elements being provided with bearing surfaces,a pair of wedges mating with said bearing surfaces, screw means foractuating said Wedges and adapted to hold said wedges in wedgingrelation between said bearing surfaces and the upper face of said cover,and means for electrically connecting said stem embracing elements withan electric current source.

JOHN QUINN. ROY A. HORST,

